Emerging Issues

Over the last 10 years that MIFUMI has been delivering domestic violence services, the organisation has witnessed the increasing emergence of domestic violence as a health issue that has implications on entire communities and the national economy at large. Issues beginning to become apparent in our geographical areas of work include the following;

Reproductive health: Sexual and reproductive health problems are responsible for one third of health issues for women between the ages of 15 and 44 years. Unsafe sex is a major risk factor particularly among women and girls in developing countries. This is why it is so important to get services to the 222 million women who aren’t getting the contraception services they need.

Globalisation: The new global market with its increasingly rapid flow of goods and information throughout the world is changing women’s roles in the economy. While creating new job opportunities for women, globalisation may also widen the divide between rich and poor. Women are some of the biggest sufferers of the demerits of globalisation. This is inevitably affecting their ability to access health and protect themselves.

Armed Conflict: In war and civil conflict, women often become refugees vulnerable to abuse. Left out of decision making, women are unable to contribute to peacekeeping processes. The never-ending civil disruptions in the greater East African region (Congo, South Sudan and Burundi) causes significant issues for women and reverses any progress that has been made by development agencies towards the advancement of women.

Maternal health: Many women are now benefiting from massive improvements in care during pregnancy and childbirth introduced in the last century. These benefits however do not extend everywhere. In 2013, almost 300 000 women died from complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths could have been prevented, had access to family planning and to some quite basic services been in place

Noncommunicable diseases: In 2012, some 4.7 million women died from noncommunicable diseases before they reached the age of 70 —most of them in low- and middle-income countries. They died as a result of road traffic accidents, harmful use of tobacco, abuse of alcohol, drugs and substances, and obesity. Helping girls and women adopt healthy lifestyles early on is key to a long and healthy life.